Trump warns of 200% tariffs on French champagne, posts Macron message screenshot
1/20/2026 2:14:00 PM
Trump has doubled down on his bid to take over Greenland by slamming key allies.
In addition to attacking UK over its Chagos decision, Trump also shared online private text messages from Macron, who offered to set up a G7 meeting in Paris on Thursday afternoon to discuss disagreements over the island.
“My friend, we are completely aligned on Syria. We can do great things in Iran. I don’t understand what you are doing in Greenland,” Macron said in his message, which was confirmed as authentic by a source close to Macron on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Upping the ante, Trump threatened to hit French wine and champagne with 200 percent tariffs in an apparent bid to cajole a reluctant Macron into joining his “board of peace” initiative, which is being rolled out in Gaza with a view to expanding its remit to other conflicts, raising questions over the future role of the UN.
A source close to Macron said the French president intended to decline the invitation to join. When asked about Macron’s stance, Trump replied: “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon.” He added: “I’ll put a 200 percent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join.”
A source close to Macron, who must step down as president in 2027 because of term limits, told AFP on Tuesday that Trump’s threats to impose the tariffs were “unacceptable” and “ineffective”.
In addition to attacking UK over its Chagos decision, Trump also shared online private text messages from Macron, who offered to set up a G7 meeting in Paris on Thursday afternoon to discuss disagreements over the island.
“My friend, we are completely aligned on Syria. We can do great things in Iran. I don’t understand what you are doing in Greenland,” Macron said in his message, which was confirmed as authentic by a source close to Macron on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Upping the ante, Trump threatened to hit French wine and champagne with 200 percent tariffs in an apparent bid to cajole a reluctant Macron into joining his “board of peace” initiative, which is being rolled out in Gaza with a view to expanding its remit to other conflicts, raising questions over the future role of the UN.
A source close to Macron said the French president intended to decline the invitation to join. When asked about Macron’s stance, Trump replied: “Did he say that? Well, nobody wants him because he will be out of office very soon.” He added: “I’ll put a 200 percent tariff on his wines and champagnes, and he’ll join, but he doesn’t have to join.”
A source close to Macron, who must step down as president in 2027 because of term limits, told AFP on Tuesday that Trump’s threats to impose the tariffs were “unacceptable” and “ineffective”.